Container for hermetic compressor

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a novel container blank adapted to be set up into a container in which is to be packaged a hermetic compressor, the blank including bottom, side, end and cover panels, fold line means for effecting relative movement of the panels to a set-up position defining the closed container, and at least two other panels outboard of the first-mentioned panels which are readily removable therefrom, one of these panels having an opening adapted to receive a portion of a packaged article, such as the compressor heretofore noted, and the other being twice folded to form a cushioning component. The container blank additionally preferably includes a pair of reinforcing panels joined one each to opposite sides of the bottom panel and defining three reinforcing panel portions with two of the terminal panel portions meeting in line contact at approximately the midpoint of the bottom panel with the two remaining reinforcing panel portions being in upright relationship at opposite corners of the container whereby these corners and the bottom of the container are adequately reinforced to prevent inadvertent and/or accidental damage during storage or shipment.

United States Patent [191 Flint et al.

[ CONTAINER FOR HERMETIC COMPRESSOR [75] Inventors: Milford G. Flint,Kirkville; Paul C.

Contegni, Solvay, both of NY.

[73] Assignee: Continental Can Company, Inc.,

New York, NY.

[22] Filed: June 25, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 156,871

[52] us. c|..'... 229/16 R, 206/46 M [51] int. Cl 865d 5/18 [58] Fieldof Search 229/16 R, 30, 33, 229/34 R, 34 B Re iere'ncesCited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 1,388,006 ,8/1921 Srofe 229/34 R 685,977 ll/l90l Dicker-229/34 R X Primary Examiner-Donald Norton A ttorney Charles J. Diller,Vincent L. Ramik et al.

571 ABSTRACT This disclosure relates to a novel container blank sun-r.

[ June 26, 1973 adapted to be set up into a container in which is to bepackaged a hermetic compressor, the blank including bottom, side, endand cover panels, fold line means for effecting relative movement of thepanels to a set-up position defining the closed container, and at leasttwo other panels outboard of the first-mentioned panels which arereadily removable therefrom, one of these panels having an openingadapted to receive a portion of a packaged article, such as thecompressor heretofore noted, and the other being twice folded to form acushioning component. The container blank'additionally preferablyincludes a pair of reinforcing panels joined one each to opposite sidesof the bottom panel and defining three reinforcing panel portions withtwo 1 of the terminal panel portions meeting in line contact atapproximately the midpoint of the bottom panel with the two remainingreinforcing panel portions being in upright relationship at oppositecorners of the container whereby these corners and the bottom of thecontainer are adequately reinforced to prevent inadvertent and/oraccidental damage during storage or shipment.

19 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures WWW PATENTEDJIJIIZB I975 INVENWRS MWFDRD G.FUNT Er PM". CCHNTEGNI M'TBENEYS CONTAINER FOR HERMETIC COMPRESSOR Aprimary object of this invention is to provide a novel container blankpreferably, though not necessarily, constructed from corrugated boardwhich is of a relatively simple construction, is formed with aminimum-of waste, and is readily set-up incident to packaging an articletherein, the blank including a bottom panel, pairs of side, end andreinforcing panels, and a cover panel to which is joined two otherpanels, one of which has an opening adapted to receive a portion of thepackage article, and the other having at least a single fold linedefining a pair of panel portions which are adapted to be overfoldedupon each other to form a cushioning insert which is normally housedbetween the packaged article and the container cover panel.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel container blankof the type aforesaid wherein each of the reinforcing panels is dividedby a pair of fold lines into three reinforcing panel portions, and thereinforcing panel portions are folded in such a manner as termina]reinforcing panel portions thereof overlie the bottom panel whereasremaining two panel portions of each reinforcing panel are in verticalupstanding relationship to the bottom panel thereby reinforcing cornersof the container.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel containerblank, as well as a container formed therefrom, constructed inaccordance with the objects heretofore set forth including the provisionof two pairs of end panels,- and means'for interlockingly securing Ieach pair of end panels to eachother to maintain the container bodyconfiguration in the set*up condition thereof.

With the above andother objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claims and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a container blank constructed in accordancewith this invention, and illustrates bottom, side, end and cover panels,with two additional panels being carried by but separable from the coverpanel and with the reinforcing panels being each divided by a pair offold lines into three reinforcing panel portions.

- FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a container constructed from theblank of FIG. 1, with parts broken away and removed for clarity, andillustrates the manner in which the two outboard panels secured to thecover panel have been removed and positioned within the container, aswell as the manner of folding the reinforcing panels.

FIG. 3 is a slightly enlarged sectional view taken generally along line33 of FIG. 2, and illustratesthe manner in which the container isreinforced at one of its corners by one of the reinforcing panels. FIG.4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, and moreclearly illustrates the reinforced corner of FIG. 3 and the manner inwhich two end panels are held together by the construction of hand holesthereof to maintain the desired container configuration.

' FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 5-5of FIG. 4, and illustrates the manner in which'one of the aperturedpanels is positioned atop terminal ones of the reinforcing panelportions with the aperture thereof serving to receive a portion of thepackage article.

Reference is first made to FIG. 1 of the drawings which illustrates acontainer blank, generally designated by the reference numeral 10,constructed in accordance with this invention which is preferably,though not necessarily constructed from corrugated board or similarmaterial which may be readily folded to form a container (FIG. 2)therefrom.

The container blank 10 is of a generally rectangular though somewhatirregular outline set-off by irregular longitudinal edges 11,12,irregular transverse edge 13, and an opposite transverse edge 14.

A generally polygonally shaped bottom panel 16 is set-off between afirst pair of fold lines 17,18 and a second pair of fold lines 20,21.The fold lines 17,18 and 20,21 are, of course, in generally spacedparallel relationship with respect to each other.

A first side panel 22 is joined to the bottom panel 16 along the foldline 18 and is set-off by the fold line 18,

a portion of the transverse edge 14, and a pair of spaced generallyparallel fold lines 23,24.

A second side panel 25 is joined to the bottom panel 16 by the fold line17, and is set-off by the fold line 17, an opposite parallel fold line26, and a pair of spaced parallel longitudinally extending fold lines27,28.

To one side of the bottom panel 16 and joined to the side panels 22,25by the respective fold lines 24,28 are respective end panels 30,31.Likewise, at an opposite side of the bottom panel 16 and joined to theside panels 22,25 along the respective fold lines 23,27 oranother pairof end panels 32,33, respectively.

The end panel is defined by the fold line 24, a portion of thetransverse edge 14, a'portion of the transverse edge 12, and an edge 34.A generally oval-shaped hand-receiving opening is formed in the endpanel 30 approximately midway between the edge 12 and the fold line 24.

In much the same manner, the end panel 32 is set-off bya portion of thelongitudinal edge 11, a portion of the transverse edge 14, the fold line23, and an edge 36. The end panel 32 is also provided with a generallyovalshape hand-receiving opening 38 located midway between the edge 11and the fold line 23, and in transverse alignment with thehand-receiving opening 35 of the end panel 30.

The end panel 31 is set-off by the fold line 20, and edge 40, a portionof the longitudinal edge 12, acut-out area or slot 41 and a weakenedline 42 defined by a plurality of cuts through thematerial of the'blank10 which are generally designated by the reference numeral 43 and shortbridging or connecting portions of unsevered material 44 therebetween. Agenerally oval shaped flap 45 is joined to the end panel 31 along a foldline 46 with the flap being deflectable along the fold line 46 to form ahand-receiving opening 47 which aligns and interlocks with thehand-receiving opening 35 of the end panel 30 in a manner which will bede scribed more fully hereafter.

The end panel 33 is likewise set-off by the fold line 27, an edge 48, aportion of the longitudinal edge 11, and an elongated transverse slot50. Likewise, a flap $1 of a generally oval-shaped configuration isjoined to the end panel 33 along a fold line 52, and when deflectedforms a hand-receiving opening 53 alignable and interlockable with thehand-receiving opening 38 of the end panel 32.

A reinforcing panel generally designated by the reference numeral 54 isdisposed between the end panels 30,31 and is joined to the bottom panelalong the fold line 21. Likewise, another reinforcing panel 55 isdisposed between the end panels 32,33, and is joined to the bottom panel16 along the fold line 20.

The reinforcing panel 54 is set-off by the edges 34, 40, a portion ofthe longitudinal edge 12, and the fold line 21. The reinforcing panel 54also includes a pair of spaced weakening lines 56,57 in the form ofalternating slits 58, and bridging portions 60 thereby setting off threegenerally rectangular reinforcing panel portions 61,62 and 63.

The reinforcing panel 55 is set-off between the edges 36,48, a portionof the edge 11, and the fold line 20. A pair of weakening lines 64,65 inthe form of alternating slits 66 and bridging portions 67 set-off threereinforcing panel portions 71, 72 and 73.

A cover panel 74 is joined to the side panel 25 along the fold line 26and is set-off by the fold line 26, a portion of the slot 50, aweakening line 75 identical to the weakening line 42, a slot 76, aportion of the edge 11, a portion of the transverse edge 13, an edge 77,a weakening line 78 identical in construction to the weakening lines 42,75, and a portion of the slot 41. The cover panel 74 includes agenerally rectangular central or top panel portion 80 set-off by thefold line 26, a fold line 81 in spaced parallel relationship thereto,and a pair of spaced parallel longitudinal fold lines 82,83. Threeperipheral cover flaps 84,85 and 86 are joined to the top panel 80 alongthe respective fold lines 81,82 and 83. The cover flap 84 is set-off bythe fold line 81, a portion of the transverse edge 13, and a pair ofshort longitudinal fold lines 87,88. Cover tabs 90,91 are joined to theperipheral cover flap 84 by the respective fold lines 87,88. Theperipheral cover flap 85 is set-off by portions of the slots 50,76, thefold line 82 and the weakening line 75. The peripheral cover flap 86 isset off by the fold line 83, and slot 41, the weakening line 78 and aslot 92.

Two other panels 93,94 complete the construction of the container blankand each is adapted to be removed from the remaining panels of the blank10 heretofore described incident to the setting-up thereof to form thecontainer 15, as will be more apparent hereinafter.

The panel 93 is of a generally rectangular configuration and is set-offby the weakening line 75, a portion of the slot 50, a portion of thelongitudinal edge 11, and a portion of the transverse edge 13 which isinterrupted to form an outwardly opening generally C-shaped slot 95. Agenerally circular opening or aperture 96 is formed in the panel 93 withits axis located midway between the weakening line 75 and the edge 11.

The other panel 94 is set-off by the cut line 77, the weakening line 78,the weakening line 42, and portions of the edges 12,13. The panel 94 isfurther divided into three panel portions 97 through 99 by a pair ofspaced parallel fold lines 100,104 which are interrupted intermediatelythereof by relatively long cuts or slits 102, 103.

While the blank 10 can be manipulated in different ways to form thecontainer 15, is preferable prior to the setting-up thereof to firstremove the panel 93 by severing the same along the weakening line 75which is ac- 4 complished simply by grasping and pulling the panel 93 torupture the minor bridging portions (unnumbered) between the panel 93and the peripheral cover flap 85. Likewise, it is also preferable toremove the panel 94 by severing the same along the weakening line 42 andthe like constructed weakening line 78.

After the panels 93,94 have been removed the reinforcing panel portions71 through 73 and 61 through 63 are folded about the respective foldlines 65,64,20 and 57,56,21 to the configuration best over-allillustrated in FIG. 2, it being noted that the panel portions 72,73 arein vertical relationship, as are the panels 62,63, with the panelportions 61,71 being in parallel overlying relationship to the bottompanel 16 and in edge-to-edge opposing relationship along a center lineof the bottom panel 16, as best shown in FIG. 5.

Thereafter, the side panels 22,25 are folded upwardly about the foldlines 18,17 after which the end panels 30,32 are folded inwardly aboutthe fold lines 24,23. Thereafter, the end panels 31,33 are folded aboutthe fold lines 28,27 bringing the end panels 31,33 into exterioroverlapping relationship to the respective end panels 30,32. By pushingthe flaps 45,51 inwardly into the respective hand-receiving openings35,38 of the end panels 30,32, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4,the end panels 30,31 and 32,33 are interlocked to prevent the containerfrom collapsing and to thus maintain its generally cubic configuration.

The earlier removed panel 93 is then inserted into the container 15 atopthe reinforcing panel portions 61,71, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 2and 5. Thus, upon the insertion of the panel 93, it is to be noted thattwo sides of the container 15 are reinforced adjacent the bottom corners(unnumbered) thereof by four plies of material, namely, the end panels30,31 and the reinforcing panel portions 62,63 at one side of thecontainer 15 and the end panels 32,33 and the reinforcing panel portions72, 73 at the opposite side of the container. Moreover, the over-allbottom construction of the container 15 is of a three ply reinforcedconstruction defined by the bottom panel 16, the reinforcing panelportion 61,71, and the panel 93.

At this time an article A, which in the present case is a hermeticcompressor, is inserted into the container in the manner partiallyillustrated in FIG. 2. The compressor A includes a bottom portion (notshown) which is of a circular configuration and thus is snugly receivedin the opening 96.

The earlier removed panel 94 is folded upon itself, as best shown inFIGS. 2 and 4, and is placed atop the article or compressor A.Thereafter, the peripheral cover flaps 84,85 and 86 are folded about thefold lines 81,82,83, respectively, until they are generally normal tothe top panel 80, after which the flaps 90,91 are folded about the foldlines 87,88 and are stapled or otherwise secured to the respective flaps85,86, as is best shown in FIG. 2. The container C is then closed bysimply pivoting the cover panel.74 about the fold line 27 to theposition shown in FIG. 2 after which a fastening band B is applied tothe container 15 as best shown in FIG. 2. As is best illustrated in thelatter-mentioned Figure, the folded panel 94 serves as a cushion orfiller member to assure that the compressor A is snugly held between thetop panel and the bottom of the container and will thereby resistshifting, etc. during transport.

While the container and the blank 10 have been described in a preferredembodiment thereof, it is to be the manufacture of the blank 10.

Likewise, the end panels 30,32 or 31,33 need not be of the full width ofthe container as defined by the length of the fold lines 20,21. Forexample, the end panels 30,32 could project respectfully below and abovethe fold lines 24,23, as viewed in FIG. 1, an appreciably short distanceto form short tabs which could be stapled to the respective end panels31,33, thereby reducing the material involved in the construction of theblank 10 although at the same time decreasing the strength thereof andeliminating the locking achieved by the reception of the flaps 45,51into the respective hand-receiving openings 35,38.

While the preferred forms and arrangements of parts have been shown inillustrating the invention, it is to be clearly understood that variouschanges in details and arrangements of parts may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

We claim: g

1. A container blank comprising means for defining bottom, side, end andcover panels, fold line means for effecting relative movement of saidpanels to a set-up position defining a closed container, two otherpanels outboard of said first-mentioned panels, and means forfacilitating the severable removal of said other panels from theremainder of said blank whereby said other panels maybe employed asinserts for said container.

2. The container blank as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said otherpanels has an opening adapted to' receive a portion of an article housedwithin the con-- tainer.-

3. The container blank as defined in claim 2 wherein said one panel isjoined to said cover panel.

4. The container blank as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said otherpanels has at least a single fold line defining'at' least a pair ofpanel portions adapted to be overfolded upon each other when housedwithin the container. 1

5. The container blank as defined in claim 4 wherein said one panel isjoined to said cover panel.

6. The container blank as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said other.panels has an opening adapted to receive a portion of an article housedwithin the container, and a second of said, other panels has at least asingle fold line defining at least a pair of panel portions adapted tobe overloaded upon each other when housed within the container.

7. The container blank as defined in claim 6 wherein said one and secondpanels are joined to said cover lines in each pair of reinforcing panelsin part defining in each reinforcing panel three relatively foldablerein forcing panel portions.

9. The container blank as defined in claim 8 wherein one of said otherpanels has an opening adapted to receive a portion of an article housedwithin the container.

10. The container blank as defined in claim 9 wherein said one panel isjoined to said cover panel.

11. The container blank as defined in claim 8 wherein one of said otherpanels has at least a single fold line defining at least a pair of panelportions adapted to be overloaded upon each other when housed within thecontainer.

12. The container blank as defined in claim 11 wherein said one panel isjoined to said cover panel.

13. The container blank as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said otherpanels has an opening adapted to receive a portion of an article housedwithin the container, and a second of said other panels has at least asingle fold line defining at least a pair of panel portions adapted tobe overfolded upon each other when housed within the container.

14. A container comprising a container body defined 1 by a bottom panel,a pair of upstanding side panels and a pair of upstanding end panels, atleast a single reinforcing panel joined by a first fold line'to saidbottom panel, said single reinforcing panel including at least a secondfold line dividing said reinforcing panel into first and secondreinforcing panel portions, said first and second reinforcing panelportions being folded about said second fold line into side-by-siderelationship to each other and in upstanding relationship to said bottompanel, and a separate apertured insert panel in superimposedrelationship to said bottom panel.

15. The container as defined in claim14 including a pair of reinforcingpanels joined one each to opposite sides of said bottom panel, and aseparate twice folded insert panel in superimposed relationship to saidbottom panel.

16. The container as defined in claim 15 including a third fold line inpart defining a third reinforcing panel portion with a terminal edge ofsaid reinforcing panel, said third reinforcing panel being folded aboutsaid third fold line into overlying relationship to said bottom I panel,and said twice folded insert panel is in spaced relationship to saidbottom panel and adjacent a cover panel of said container body.

17. The container as defined in claim 14 including a third fold line inpart defining a third reinforcing panel portion with a terminal edge ofsaid reinforcing panel, said third reinforcing panel being folded aboutsaid third fold line into overlying relationship to said bottom panel,and said separate apertured insert panel is also in superimposedrelationship to said third reinforcing panel.

18. The container as defined in claim 14 including an article housedwithin said container body and having a portion received'in saidapertured insert panel.

19. The container as defined in claim 14 including a separate twicefolded insert panel in superimposed re-

1. A container blank comprising means for defining bottom, side, end andcover panels, fold line means for effecting relative movement of saidpanels to a set-up position defining a closed container, two otherpanels outboard of said first-mentioned panels, and means forfacilitating the severable removal of said other panels from theremainder of said blank whereby said other panels may be employed asinserts for said container.
 2. The container blank as defined in claim 1wherein one of said other panels has an opening adapted to receive aportion of an article housed within the container.
 3. The containerblank as defined in claim 2 wherein said one panel is joined to saidcover panel.
 4. The container blank as defined in claim 1 wherein one ofsaid other panels has at least a single fold line defining at least apair of panel portions adapted to be overfolded upon each other whenhoused within the container.
 5. The container blank as defined in claim4 wherein said one panel is joined to said cover panel.
 6. The containerblank as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said other panels has anopening adapted to receive a portion of an article housed within thecontainer, and a second of said other panels has at least a single foldline defining at least a pair of panel portions adapted to be overloadedupon each other when housed within the container.
 7. The container blankas defined in claim 6 wherein said one and second panels are joined tosaid cover panel.
 8. The container blank as defined in claim 1 includinga pair of reinforcing panels joined one each to opposite sides of saidbottom panel, and a pair of fold lines in each pair of reinforcingpanels in part defining in each reinforcing panel three relativelyfoldable reinforcing panel portions.
 9. The container blank as definedin claim 8 wherein one of said other panels has an opening adapted toreceive a portion of an article housed within the container.
 10. Thecontainer blank as defined in claim 9 wherein said one panel is joinedto said cover panel.
 11. The container blank as defined in claim 8wherein one of said other panels has at least a single fold linedefining at least a pair of panel portions adapted to be overloaded uponeach other when housed within the container.
 12. The container blank asdefined in claim 11 wherein said one panel is joined to said coverpanel.
 13. The container blank as defined in claim 8 wherein one of saidother panels has an opening adapted to receive a portion of an articlehoused within the container, and a second of said other panels has atleast a single fold line defining at least a pair of panel portionsadapted to be overfolded upon each other when housed within thecontainer.
 14. A container comprising a container body defined by abottom panel, a pair of upstanding side panels and a pair of upstandingend panels, at least a single reinforcing panel joined by a first foldline to said bottom panel, said single reinforcing panel including atleast a second fold line dividing said reinforcing panel into first andsecond reinforcing panel portions, said first and second reinforcingpanel portions being folded about said second fold line intoside-by-side relationship to each other and in upstanding relaTionshipto said bottom panel, and a separate apertured insert panel insuperimposed relationship to said bottom panel.
 15. The container asdefined in claim 14 including a pair of reinforcing panels joined oneeach to opposite sides of said bottom panel, and a separate twice foldedinsert panel in superimposed relationship to said bottom panel.
 16. Thecontainer as defined in claim 15 including a third fold line in partdefining a third reinforcing panel portion with a terminal edge of saidreinforcing panel, said third reinforcing panel being folded about saidthird fold line into overlying relationship to said bottom panel, andsaid twice folded insert panel is in spaced relationship to said bottompanel and adjacent a cover panel of said container body.
 17. Thecontainer as defined in claim 14 including a third fold line in partdefining a third reinforcing panel portion with a terminal edge of saidreinforcing panel, said third reinforcing panel being folded about saidthird fold line into overlying relationship to said bottom panel, andsaid separate apertured insert panel is also in superimposedrelationship to said third reinforcing panel.
 18. The container asdefined in claim 14 including an article housed within said containerbody and having a portion received in said apertured insert panel. 19.The container as defined in claim 14 including a separate twice foldedinsert panel in superimposed relationship to said bottom panel, anarticle in said container body, said article being sandwiched betweensaid insert panels with a portion thereof being received in saidapertured insert panel.